Szoboszlai and Mac Allister Late Doubts for Liverpool as Man City Arrive Without Foden
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were not seen at Liverpool's team hotel on Sunday morning, handing Andoni Iraola a midfield headache against Manchester City — who are without the suspended Phil Foden.
Published 11 Oct 20262 min read
Liverpool's midfield is the late concern hanging over Sunday's Anfield showdown with Manchester City. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were both absent as the squad arrived at their team hotel on Sunday morning, according to footage filmed by journalists at the entrance, and neither player had been flagged as a doubt when Andoni Iraola spoke to the media on Friday.
The timing could hardly be worse for a Liverpool side already missing Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, the two attacking injuries picked up on international duty that leave the Reds without a recognised centre-forward. Szoboszlai started all four of Hungary's Nations League fixtures during the extended three-week break and has been an ever-present from the first whistle in the Premier League this season, while Mac Allister has been the anchor of Iraola's midfield.
Who steps in
If either or both miss out, Ryan Gravenberch becomes the only certain starter in the middle, with 19-year-old Trey Nyoni the leading candidate to partner him for what would be a first Premier League start. Wataru Endo and James McConnell offer Iraola further options as Liverpool look to protect an unbeaten league record against the only side with a perfect one — City arrive at Anfield with five wins from five.
Dominik Szoboszlai in Premier League action at Anfield (Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)City without Foden
Manchester City's team sheet is clearer, if thinner. Phil Foden serves the final game of his three-match suspension for the red card he collected in last month's Manchester derby, while Nico O'Reilly — who withdrew from the England squad midway through the break with a fitness issue — is a doubt after missing training this week. Erling Haaland is fit, Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday, after the striker finished the international window nursing a knock, with Antoine Semenyo also expected to be involved.
The late midfield doubts cap a disrupted build-up for both camps. Liverpool must reshuffle a spine already stretched in attack; City must cover Foden's creativity on the road. For a fixture that usually decides the early shape of the title race, availability may matter as much as form — and with kick-off at 4.30pm, both benches will know their final lists long before the team sheets drop.